Hollywood, Florida recruit Xavier Williams has named the Alabama Crimson Tide his leader.

As Alabama remains focused on rounding out its currently-ranked No. 1 recruiting class for 2017, the Crimson Tide are already making moves for the 2018 recruiting cycle. Two top 2018 players are committed – No. 5 running back Dameon Pierce and No. 6 tight end Malcom Elps – and the nation’s No. 5 athlete, Xavier Williams, just named Alabama his leader.

“It’s really anyone’s game, but Alabama is really winning the battle right about now,” Williams said. “I’m a blessed kid with over 30 offers, and out of the rest of those schools battling for me, Alabama is making me a priority. Miami has told me that, but Alabama is actually showing me I’m a priority for them.”

Part of the reason Alabama leads for Williams is the constant communication he has with the coaching staff.

“That’s the only staff I can honestly say that I talk to every day, faithfully. Me and (wide receivers coach Billy) Napier talk every day. They also talk to my parents because they’re just as important in this process as I am. They’re really showing me love.”

Earlier this week Williams tipped his hand when he tweeted at four-star quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa, who gave his verbal to the Tide in May 2016. Tagovailoa, from Honolulu, Hawaii, is the No. 4 quarterback and No. 36 overall player in the 2017 class.